Mia moved effortlessly around her family's shop. "Letty wants to know if you're racing tonight?" She spoke, staring at the message on her phone quickly before she slid it into her pocket.

Noa shook her head, wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. She adjusted the camera lens she'd been fiddling with and sighed. "Jesse and I are still waiting on those parts for my car. No race for me."

Mia hummed in response, settling onto the counter. The heat had made the day drag, and the two of them had spent most of it chatting to pass the time. She glanced at the clock, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Let's sneak out and grab a beer."

Noa chuckled, shaking her head. "Dom would lock us up if he found out."

Mia nudged her playfully with her elbow. "Or maybe you're just hoping Blondie will show up."

Noa rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool, but Mia didn't miss the way her gaze flickered to the clock. Brian was late—only by five minutes, but still. "Brian's just a customer," she said, a little too casually.

"Uh-huh," Mia smirked, about to tease her again, when a voice cut in.

"Who's just a customer?"

Noa turned a little too quickly at the sound of Brian's voice, immediately cursing herself for it. But as he walked inside and slid into the seat across from her, she couldn't help the grin that tugged at her lips.

"Blondie," she greeted. "Almost thought you forgot about me."

Brian smiled back, a lazy shrug in response. "How could I forget about you?"

Noa rolled her eyes, pretending to be unimpressed. "Aww, you make me blush," she teased, pushing off the counter. "Still going for that shitty tuna sandwich?"

"I'll have the tuna," Brian confirmed.

"No crust?"

"No crust."

As she made his sandwich, she could feel his eyes on her. When she stole a glance, those ocean-blue eyes were watching her every move. Warmth crept up her neck, but she focused on finishing his order.

Brian, meanwhile, was captivated. Noa's sun-kissed curls and the effortless way she moved had drawn him in from the start. There was something about her—something more than just looks, something that made it hard to stay away.

When she returned with his plate, she noticed the magazine he'd opened—Nissan Skylines, pages worn from flipping. Leaning on the counter, she studied the images with interest, arms folded.

"You into cars?" Brian asked, noticing her gaze.

Noa met his eyes, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's in my blood."

Brian nodded, intrigued. "And you?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

He hesitated, then said, "You could say that."

She hummed, flipping through the pages, fingers tracing the sleek lines of the cars. A comfortable silence settled between them until the sound of revving engines outside pulled Noa's attention.

Her grin widened as a familiar group of racers strolled in. "How's my people?" she greeted, giving Jesse a lazy wave and bumping fists with Leon as he approached.

"Hey, Noa," Jesse said, his usual laid-back tone in place.

"Your car's getting fixed tomorrow," Jesse added before she could ask.

Leon grinned, throwing an arm around Jesse. "That's right! Queen Bee's getting back on the streets!"

Noa's grin widened. "Damn right."

Letty strolled over, arms open. "How's my girl?"

Noa sighed dramatically before hugging her. They laughed before Letty went to find Dom in the back.

As things settled, Noa glanced at Brian—only to notice Vince sitting beside him. Her expression shifted.

Brian sensed it too, feeling Vince's glare on him.

Noa muttered under her breath, already bracing for whatever was about to happen. "Here we go."

Vince had always been a pain in her ass. From the moment she started hanging around Dom's garage, he'd never let up—flirting, arguing, and making it painfully clear he didn't take no for an answer. The more she ignored him, the harder he tried.

"Vince," she called, trying to break the tension. He ignored her, eyes locked on Brian. "Vince." Her voice sharpened, and he finally looked her way, his gaze raking over her.

"What do you want?" she asked bluntly.

Vince smirked. "You look good."

Noa rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I always do. Not doing this with you."

"Relax, girl. We're just sitting."

"Right. Looks more like a staring contest. What's the prize? Me?"

Before Vince could answer, Brian stood, tossing cash on the counter. "Thanks, Noa. See you tomorrow."

Noa smirked, leaning against the counter. "I'll be here."

Vince scoffed and got up, bolting after Brian. "Why don't you try Frat Burger instead? Double cheese and fries for $2.95."

Brian stopped, turning back with a scowl on his face. "I like the tuna here."

Vince sneered. "Bullshit. Nobody likes the tuna here."

"Well, I do."

Before Noa could step between them, Vince made the first move by shoving Brian, the next thing she knew they were rolling around on the ground, fists flying everywhere.

Noa groaned, "Oh, for fuck's sake." She looked back inside. "Get Dom out here before things get worse." She called out to Mia who sighed with her arms crossed. "Dom, can you deal with this? I'm sick of this shit."

When Dom didn't move, Noa stormed inside. "Dom! Get your ass out here before someone loses a limb."

A loud crash made her freeze. Spinning around, she saw Vince pinning Brian against her car—her passenger window shattered.

Rage flared. No one messed with Noa's car.

"That's it!" she snapped.

Before anyone could react, she was on Vince, yanking him back by his collar and pressing a switchblade to his throat. "You broke my car?"

She watched as Vince squirmed against her hold, slowly he raised his hands in surrender. Dom's voice cut through the tension. "Noa, let him go."

She didn't move until she felt Dom's hand on her shoulder. With a frustrated sigh, she lowered the blade—but not before slapping Vince across the face. "Punk, over a fucking sandwich"

Vince growled, pushing her aside as he lunged at Brian again. They hit the ground, trading blows.

Dom sighed. "What the hell did you put in that sandwich?"

Noa let out a dry laugh. "Secret."

Finally, Dom stepped in, yanking Vince back. "Wallet," he snapped, and Jesse tossed Brian's over. Dom flipped it open, eyebrows raising. "Brian Earl Spilner. Sounds like a serial killer's name. That what you are?"

"No, man," Brian said, shaking his head.

Dom's gaze hardened. "Don't come back here."

Noa's heart dropped. "Dom, don't do this."

Brian scoffed. "This is bullshit."

Letty crossed her arms. "Wrong move, Blondie."

Dom ignored them. "You work for Harry, right?"

"Just started," Brian replied, confused.

"Not anymore."

Noa sighed, her gaze locked on the ground. She felt her friends follow after Dom as he walked back inside. Frustration simmered as she turned back to Brian, catching his gaze

"Sorry about your head," she said softly.

Brian smirked. "Sorry about your car."

They laughed, tension easing. As it faded, Noa's voice softened. "I'll see you around?"

Brian met her gaze. "Definitely."